We Remember

As the voice of Moms for McCain, I will have many thoughts on Governor Palin, her lipstick, sexism in the media, and the other topics every other blog seems to be talking about at the moment.

But today is not a day for such things.

Today we remember the deliberate, senseless attacks on our country and our way of life.
I lost a college classmate and friend on Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles. He was 24. I won’t say he was my greatest friend in the universe – he wasn’t (I was a geek, he traveled in much more fashionable social circles). But his presence is felt at every alumni gathering (and we Tigers have many). Chris was an honor student, a rugby player, a loud neighbor, a brother, a friend. He was exactly the type of guy who, if he’s been on a later flight with fuller knowledge of what the hijackers intended, would have given his own life to foil them in a heartbeat.

I also suffered a deeply personal loss on that day, which I won’t regurgitate here. I will merely say that, like many Americans, September 11 caused not just an abstract reassessment of my priorities, but some immediate, and in some cases, drastic changes in the way I lived my day to day life.

Defending our country and our way of life should not be a partisan issue. Crazy terrorists don’t distinguish between liberals and conservatives, they hate us all. But out of that sad and dark day came a renewed sense of gratitude for the blessings of liberty, and a stronger sense of purpose for all Americans who defend our way of life.

I encourage you to take a moment today to thank someone who has made this country stronger and safer.